WiiConnect24
WiiConnect24 was a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. It was first announced at Electronic Entertainment Expo in mid-2006 by Nintendo. It enabled the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console was on standby. For example, a friend could send messages to another player's town without the other player being present in the game .
On June 27, 2013, WiiConnect24 service features got terminated globally, due to GameSpy shutting down its servers. Consequently, the Wii channels that required it, online data exchange via Wii Message Board, and passive online features for certain games have all been rendered unusable.
The Wii U software itself does not officially support WiiConnect24, which subsequently was the cause for most preloaded and downloadable Wii channels to be unavailable on the Wii U's Wii Mode menu and Wii Shop Channel respectively, even prior to WiiConnect24's termination. Eventually, the defunct downloadable Wii channels were made unavailable on all versions of the Wii Shop Channel.
WiiConnect24 is succeeded by SpotPass, a different trademark name for similar content-pushing functions that the Nintendo Network service can perform for the newer Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles.
Service
WiiConnect24 was used to receive content such as Wii Message Board messages sent from other Wii consoles, Miis, emails, updated channel and game content, and notification of software updates. If the Standby Connect mode of WiiConnect24 is enabled, this content can also be received when the Wii is left in standby mode. While running in standby mode with Standby Connection enabled, the Wii uses about 9.6 watts, compared to 1.3 watts without WiiConnect24.WiiConnect24 can still be turned on or off via the setup interface. If it is on, the user is allowed to enable or disable Standby Connect mode. While the console is in standby, the power LED indicates the current status of the standby connection; red indicating Standby Connect is off, yellow indicating Standby Connect mode is on. If the power button on the console is pressed and held down for three to four seconds, the Wii goes into standby mode with Standby Connect off. If the Wii is cut off from power and power is later restored, it goes into standby mode with Standby Connect mode off, and WiiConnect24 will not operate until the console is turned on.
The Wii Optical Drive will glow a neon-blue colour when Wii Message Board data has been received through WiiConnect24 in Standby Connect mode and, with firmware 3.0 and above, it will briefly flash when the console is turned on. The brightness level of this blue colour can be changed via the Setup Interface with the options of Bright, Dim or Off.
The flowing light on the Wii is timed with the bird call of the Japanese bush warbler.
When game messages are received with pictures, the player can customise them into the Photo Channel. The player would also be able to send them to other Wii consoles that are sent when you register them. The player could also opt out of receiving messages from Nintendo.
Functionality
During an interview with the Japanese newspaper Nikkei Business Publications, Nintendo's CEO, Satoru Iwata, revealed that the WiiConnect24 could be used for the downloading of demos for the Nintendo DS.According to Nintendo's European micro-site for the Wii, WiiConnect24 can be used to send SMS messages "to family members that are out and about", and exchange pictures and messages with other Wii users.
Channels
The following were Wii Menu channels that used WiiConnect24:| Channel | Description | Release date | Discontinuation date |
| Mii Channel | Miis created by friends can be shared | November 19, 2006 | |
| Wii Shop Channel | Download games by using "Wii Points" | November 19, 2006 | January 30, 2019 |
| Forecast Channel | Current local and worldwide weather conditions | December 20, 2006 | June 27, 2013 |
| News Channel | The latest news articles and headlines | January 24, 2007 | June 27, 2013 |
| Everybody Votes Channel | Polls and results | February 14, 2007 | June 27, 2013 |
| Check Mii Out Channel/Mii Contest Channel | Miis can be shared as well as judged on a global scale | November 11, 2007 | June 27, 2013 |
| Mario Kart Wii Channel | Can race ghost data, view worldwide racing times, view friend list, participate in competitions like tournaments | April 10, 2008, April 11, 2008, April 24, 2008, April 27, 2008 | May 20, 2014 |
| Nintendo Channel | Allows Wii users to watch trailers for games and download demos for the Nintendo DS. | November 27, 2007, May 7, 2008, May 30, 2008 | June 27, 2013 |
| Wii Speak Channel | Allows users to leave voice messages on friends' message boards. | December 5, 2008 | May 20, 2014 |
The Forecast and News channels required that both WiiConnect24 and Standby Connection were enabled to work; if WiiConnect24 was enabled and Standby Connection was disabled, the channels would give an error upon launch and return the user to the Wii Menu. The reason for this requirement is due to the fact that they had to download data that was relatively up to date.
Problems
The initial firmware update caused some parts of the console to be inaccessible to a small portion of people who purchased the Wii at launch. Those Wii consoles received constant error codes. For those users it was necessary to contact Nintendo's customer service to replace or repair the console.In some countries, trying to connect to WiiConnect24 displays a screen stating that the service "is currently not being offered". This can be circumvented by selecting a different country as a location. It is currently unknown what the actual availability map of the service is.
The PAL versions of the Wii connected with RGB SCART cables continue to send a SCART switching signal when the Wii is in WiiConnect24 standby mode. This occurs with both official Nintendo RGB SCART cables, and any third party RGB SCART cables that carry the SCART switching signal. This problem can be alleviated by disabling standby mode, but leaving WiiConnect24 running.
When the disc slot light glows it can cause the wii to get hot. This is because the fan is turned off while the console is also in standby mode.